Author: Jason Wood

Graphic of hands on a laptop

Security Update: Avoiding Seasonal Scams

The holidays are nearly here and while many of our thoughts turn to giving, online thieves are focused on how much they can take, with a host of schemes to rob us of our information, money & seasonal good cheer.

Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a victim during this time of year:

∙ Mobile SMS fraud — Sent via text, these messages contain dangerous links encouraging you to update or install an app, infecting your device with malware.

∙ Shopping schemes — Too-good-to-be true offers and steep discounts on must-have items may originate from phony sites. You could also encounter fake contests on social media designed to get your personal information or proliferate spyware.

∙ Traveling blues — If you’re planning a trip to visit family or going on a winter getaway, scammers know it. They’re hoping to catch you by offering you fraudulent travel deals or sending spam. Be on the lookout for these tactics.

∙ Dangerous greetings — When you get an electronic card, be careful before you click. Some of these contain viruses.

∙ Doing our part — Be sure to go here for updates regarding how we are constantly working to safeguard your resources.

John lund

Gratitude for the Service of Others

John LundBy John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer

On a recent visit to one of the country’s larger cities, I arrived several hours prior to my first meeting. With the extra time, I decided to go for a walk/run in an effort to get my daily steps in.

As I headed down the street, I came upon a small park with a three-lane, quarter-mile track around the perimeter, which made it the ideal place to exercise without having to deal with traffic, etc.

During my first lap, I noticed an older gentleman pushing a young man in a wheelchair who was mentally & physically disabled. The two were softly conversing, with the boy smiling and clearly pleased to have the company. On another turn, I saw the man massaging the shoulders and neck of his younger companion. The next time around, the gentleman had moved to a location offering a different view. This heartfelt interaction between the two continued the entire hour I spent at the park.

By himself, this young man couldn’t experience the basic joys of life many of us take for granted. Yet this kind gentleman intuitively perceived how he could help the boy savor this valuable time outside on beautiful warm afternoon.

As I made my way around and around the track, time seemed to pass much more quickly as I forgot about my minor aches and pain by focusing on the beautiful act of service I saw. I felt a powerful sense of gratitude toward this gentleman. It was inspirational witnessing such thoughtful and tender service. This motivated me to think a little bit less about myself and to be more sensitive to the needs of others.

During November, we celebrate Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving. Hopefully, we can all pause to recognize and openly thank those who have served this country and those who are now defending our freedom all over the world. Gratitude is a simple yet powerful force for good and we can always be generous in displaying it.

I hope each of you has a wonderful season. We appreciate your membership in and loyalty to America First. We look forward to a lifetime relationship.

Find the Hero Within

John LundBy John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer

What is a hero? Are they like characters we see in movies with supernatural skills, fancy gadgets, or special outfits?

As part of an internal initiative, we brought in a group of kids ranging in age from two to 10. We posed a series of questions to them regarding the concept of heroes and recorded their responses. The wisdom and honesty of children is inspiring. To follow are excerpts of our inquiries and their answers.

What is a hero to you? Someone who protects you. Someone who does good things and serves others, [who] helps people and is nice to them. Someone who is kind and generous. Fights bad guys and saves the day. A person [who] is there when you need them.

Why do we need heroes? [To] help people when they are down. To protects us. To help us live happily. To put fires out. Protect our city. To save the day. If you are sad, you need a shoulder to cry on.

How do you become a hero? Being nice to people and picking up trash. Protecting people. By cleaning up my brother’s room. By doing what’s right. By being friendly and nice. Helping my friends and keeping them safe. Telling the truth. Being a friend to those [who] need a friend. You don’t need super powers to be a hero, you just need to help people.

Who is a hero in your life? Mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, military guys, firefighters, police, Jesus.

Why are they your heroes? They give me hugs. Helps me when having trials. Makes a bad day a better day. Taught me to swim. Protects [us] from bad stuff like smoking. They are kind, sweet and loving. Does the dishes. Helps me understand problems. Loves me. Stands up for what’s right. There for me all the time.

Read More…

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Security Update: Maintaining Electronic Safety for all Seasons

Online security is important for your financial health, no matter the time of year. We’re here to provide you with some simple steps you can take to keep yourself safe during the busy fall months.

• Malicious greetings — Emails often invite recipients to click on a card, video, or animation. While some are harmless, cybercriminals can imbed viruses and spyware in them; open all file attachments and URLs with care.

• Phishing for friends — Social media is often where phishing attacks take place. Think twice about adding friends you don’t really know and never divulge personal data to anyone online.

• Devices gone missing — Annually, thousands of travelers will lose their laptops, smartphones & tablets during the coming months. Therefore, it’s wise never to leave a boarding gate, vehicle, or security checkpoint without taking a mental inventory of your electronics.

• Dangerous downloads — Always use common sense when downloading games, file-sharing tools, streaming clients, and other third-party apps. Deploy anti-virus software to detect malware.

For more information regarding how your credit union is working to guard your resources, please visit us here.

Food in a box

Donate to End Hunger

There are many of our family, friends & neighbors who go without adequate food every week and those who don’t know where they will get their next meals.

Thankfully, your generosity has always worked in opposition to this trend and we’re again asking you to ensure the Greater Good food drive is a lasting and successful tradition.

We’ll be accepting canned & non-perishable items — as well as other necessities, such as toothbrushes, diapers, soap and toilet paper — at our branches through Saturday, October 22.

You’ll be entered into a drawing for an Apple Watch for each contribution. And you’ll be making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate & the communities we share.

Click here to locate an office near you. Then stop by and donate. We appreciate your support.

*Drawing eligibility & conditions apply. Must be 18 years old to participate.

Stop Dreaming & Start Driving!

America First provides affordable auto loans to help fuel your lifestyle. Choose your credit union and you’ll get:

  • Rates as low* as 2.99% APR
  • Easy & free online pre-approvals
  • Terms of up to 84 months
  • Unmatched member service

Apply online, inside a branch, or ask your local dealership for America First financing.

*Annual percentage rate, on approved credit, subject to change.

 

Open for Your Business

Whatever goals your business has, America First is here to help you reach them.

• Small business loans

• Commercial loans

• Business accounts & services

Choose us and your door to success will always be open.

Learn more here.

Protecting your Resources Online

In today’s 24/7 online culture, it’s essential to stay alert and protect yourself against fraud. Here are some tips that can help:

• Review your credit report at least once a year from each of the three national reporting agencies. These are available to you without a cost

• Monitor your account activity as often as possible, easily and conveniently, with free online & mobile banking.

• Take advantage of our Card Guard® mobile security app that puts you in control of your America First Visa® — you decide when, where, and how it’s used.

• Beware of unfamiliar attachments & links. If you’re not sure of the source, don’t click.

• Add a firewall to your devices. These prevent unauthorized users from gaining access.

• Properly dispose of your documents & statements containing personal and financial information. America First hosts free events at which you can bring materials to one of our branches and we will shred them for you. Check out a schedule here.

Remember, it’s always wise to take every available precaution when you’re navigating the Internet for personal, social, and business reasons. And be sure to use this link for updates regarding how we are constantly working to safeguard your resources.

Summer’s Final Holiday & Heading Back to School

John LundBy John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer

Our family enjoys getting together for an unofficial reunion over Labor Day weekend. We celebrate at Bear Lake, a beautiful mountain body of water that straddles the Utah and Idaho border, known for its brilliant blue color and sandy beaches.

We enjoy spending time at the lake, playing games, hiking in the mountains, attending a local melodrama, and participating in a small golf tournament. It is a wonderful holiday, offering us the chance to gather as a family, mark the end of the summer season, and give our children and grandchildren an opportunity to revel in the fun before heading back to school.

While I’ve always been mindful of Labor Day’s origins, this year I wanted to learn a bit more. Looking it up with the ever-trusty Wikipedia, I discovered the following:

Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day weekend and it is considered the unofficial end of summer. It became an official federal holiday in 1894.

I am impressed by this passage: “[Labor Day] honors…the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country.†Individually and collectively, we all benefit from the vision and hard work of so many people who have made our country the strongest in the world. It is certainly appropriate for us to think about and recognize generations of American workers on this special day.

In like manner, I would like to honor the contributions you as members have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America First. Our credit union is a cooperative that depends on and serves its members. Thank you for your loyalty and for trusting us to be your partner in this endeavor.

Our volunteers and staff will continue striving diligently to provide you with great service as we deliver relevant products and services that can help simplify your busy lives and keep you financially healthy. We look forward to a lifelong relationship with you and your family.